Celeste Academy - Fifth Date (Patreon)

( Welcome to Celeste Academy! New here? Why not check out our Celeste Academy introductory post to get started! We're celebrating the spookiest month by making this month's featured poll + date open to the public, so invite all your witchiest friends to cast their spells for this month's vote! )

Oh, there's another one.

Given that the last time she'd had extended contact with an animal was the huge, surly tabby that had served as her grandmother's familiar when Carida was young, she'd forgotten until just now, as she pulls yet another stray black hair from one of her socks many days after her shelter visit, how truly invasive animal fur can be. The first few were unsurprising, but a little distressing, as she made the initial discovery just as one of the hairs was about to fall into a cake batter she was preparing. She's unsure if the fur of familiars has the same magical qualities as the animals themselves, but it would have made a nasty surprise for someone at the very least.

With a sudden renewed concern for her own kitchen cleanliness standards (which are honestly pretty hard to maintain in a shared living situation), she lays out a number of other garments, giving them a thorough inspection. Satisfied that there are no more pesky little stowaways in the folds of her shirts, she tucks them all back away in her wardrobe.

She smiles as she catches sight of the bright orange vest nestled in the corner of one shelf, and feels her heart flutter a beat as she thinks of Sylvie's smile. Only a third of the way through her quest now, she knows that it's too soon to let herself start to think that anyone might be The One, but she's sure that whoever her true match is, she hopes they're as warm and compassionate. 

Maybe she will have to take her up on a return to the shelter after all. Caring for others can be good for the soul, and heck, she might even get to see about creating some special treats just for the familiars as a challenge! She'll have to drop Sylvie a line again to find out what kind of foods would suit their little tummies…

Just as she thinks this, her phone gives a little chime. She looks: Three notifications from Wondr.

She pauses for a moment before she opens the app, thinking about how funny it is for them to come like this, in threes. There were certain lecturers in her schooling who have always been insistent about minding the rule of three, both in history and in active attunement. Love is as powerful as any magic, or so the stories say, so the same rules probably apply. Briefly, she gets distracted as she starts to think of other sets of three - the famed three great pillars of the ruins of Old Telanyon, the three shooting stars her mother said that she saw on the day Carida was born, tres leches cake…

On the last thought her stomach rumbles, and she realizes she hasn't yet made breakfast - or checked out these new matches! 

Time to see what new worlds - and what potential loves - might be waiting for her this time...!

Lulina, 22

❤ The drifting of fog over a lonely grave

A crow with but two wings cannot swim beneath the silver moon. The fish with but one heart cannot fly through the fronds of the flame. Half becomes sliver, becomes thrice. One set of hands cannot join itself in the circle, cannot complete the ritual alone.

Will you take my fingertips, soul in soul, in the midnight clearing? Will you be my power? Together we dive, into the golden lake of infinity, and delve what treasures untold may lie there.

Jhay, 25

❤ art, sweets, and words with a beat

 Hey cuties!! I've been out of the dating scene for a while but I'm looking to get back out and meet folks! I'm a recent fashion design graduate from the Rosebloom School of Arts, and I love dancing, dining, and just having a good time! Even if you aren't looking for romance right now, I'm dying to make new friends in town, so let's catch a drink or a show! (And hey, maybe you could by my model? ;)) Hope to hear from you! <3 

Roc, 21

❤ sharp knives, WINNING, hamburgers

 you. me. showdown. yeah, YOU! you think you've got the chops? you think you've got the knowhow to go head to head with my steel? 🔪 can you handle the fire?? 🔥🔥🔥 show me you've got what it takes to win. see you in the kitchen… 

Head Witch Note: We're so excited to say this month's featured writer is Laiska!

Laiska is a professional JP->EN translator, author of interactive fiction, and experienced visual novel developer. They've contributed to a huge variety of works such as DoraKone (Free yuri VN), The Shadows That Run Alongside Our Car (Free horror VN), Sapphic Zines: Celestial Bodies (Contributing author to queer/WLW anthology), and much, much more. Please check out their work!

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